Latch control apparatus



G. N. WEAVER LATCH CONTROL APPARATUS Feb. 13, 19 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July' 2, 1956 INVENTOR.

GEORGE N. WEAVER Feb. 13, 1962 e. N. WEAVER 3,021,164

LATCH CONTROL APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1956 2 Sheet's-Sheet 2 Wad.

INVENTOR.

GEORGE N. WEAVER 3,021,164 LATKIH CONTRUL APPARATUS George N. Weaver, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of onetenth to Gadget-Gf-The-Vionth Chili, Inn, North Hollywood, (Ialixh, a corporation of California Filed .Iniy 2, 1956, Ser. No. 595,364 (Ilaims. (Cl. 2922I9) My invention, in one specific exemplary form, relates to the subject of fasteners designed for use on the pivotal overhead-type of garage door; and more particularly said specific exemplary form concerns a new and useful improvement in controls for a pivotal-latch type of fastener for securing such a door. The control consists of two parts, one having to do with actual contact and control of the pivotal-latch, or actual door fastener. The other is remotely situated and includes the key-lock and exterior and interior manual controls. Actuating force is transmitted from the latter to the former by means which will be shown.

In its entirety, the lock consists of a latch-box contain ing a pivotal-latch (or side-action latch), its spring, its actuating-lever and a combined holding and by-pass means which is a novel and important feature of the controls. This box is attached to the top-rail of the overhead opening type of door. The pivotal latch, when in its locked condition, engages a recess adapted at a proper location on the lintel above the door-opening. By means of a simple lever, bell-crank and rod device (or the equivalent) the latch is connected with novel manual controls which are in functionable contact with the key-lock, all placed in an accessible location on the door.

While any type of rotating-shank key-lock would serve, the T-handle type of lock would seem preferable for the purpose.

A feature of great usefulness, of the control device, is that it renders inside operation of the fastening device completely independent of the outer key-lock. Even though the exterior handle is locked with key, the door may be opened and closed at random, Without a key, from within. It may then be left in a locked condition, from outside, when finally closed.

The combined holding and by-pass means functions, as will be explained, to nullify, when so desired, the automatically-locking feature of the lock. By no means other than the regular controls, action of the latch may be suspended so that it will remain in a neutral position, and the door will remain unlocked, from either side, until it is released by the control. It may be released or set from the outside, when locked, only by use of the key. It may e readily seen that such versatility of the lock renders added freedom in the use of the door for many comings and goings about the place, with little need of a key, or when a key is not readily available.

The construction of the lock, almost completely, would be of pressed steel or sheet-metal.

The objects outlined above are attained by the mechanisms described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIGURE 1 presents a plan view of the latch-box in place in its proper juxtaposition to its socket; FIGURE 2 shows the actuator assembly with its connecting links to the manual controls; FIGURES 3A and 3B delineate the manual controls and the key-locking device; FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7 explain the functioning of the combined holding and by-pass means; FIGURE 8A shows a segment including the center, of the interior side of a typical door of the type mentioned above, with an installation of the complete lock indicated; FIGURE 8B depicts a side sectional view of the above, including the exterior control and key-lock.

Similar symbols refer to identical items in each of the several views.

EfiZLlfid Patented Feb. 13, 1962 Symbol 2, FIGURE 1, shows a pivotal type of latch that may well be utilized in a fastener for the overhead type of garage door. The latch-box 3 is attached, presumably but not necessarily, at the center of the upper surface of the 2 x 4" top-rail 4 of such a door. The outer surfacing of the door is represented by the symbol 3a. Spring 5 exerts constant pressure on latch 2, tending to force it into its engaged, or locked, condition. When locked, latch 2 engages socket 6 which is recessed, as shown in cutaway, at the proper point into the lintel 7 above the door-opening. Alternate positions 2a of the latch, shown in broken line, indicates its location when so engaged. An upward projection 2x at the extreme end of latch 2 prevents it from being withdrawn from latch-plate 8, which if fiushly affixed in the aperture of the chiseled recess 6, completing the socket. When so locked, latch 2 may be disengaged only by rotating it clockwise, by proper use of the controls, which said controls contribute the improvements claimed herein as a novel and useful invention.

The element of the control mechanism directly and constantly in contact with latch 2, is combined holding and by-pass means 9, which is composed of an elongate holding plate, or chassis, having parallel edges (including a fore-edge seen at the top of member marked 9 in FIG. 5 and an aft-edge seen at the bottom of member marked 9 in FIG. 5), and being pivotally disposed on a rigid axis 9a perpendicular to its plane surface, as best shown in FIGURE 4. Breaking the fore-edge, at a certain point, is a retaining detent means notch 14. Pivoted at the aft-edge is a bypass member or plate 10, so hinged at ltla that from mutual surface contact with the chassis 9, it may be readily tilted to an angle of forty degress, or more, to it. With no inherent power of its own, the combined holding and by-pass means just described controls latch 2, and greatly enhances the versatility of the lock in that it may be caused, by use of the manual con' trols, to restrain latch 2 in a neutral inoperative or suspended-action position rendering possible the random use of the door, mentioned above. Details of the functioning of these elements will be made clear. The combined holding and by-pass means 9 is pivoted at 9a transversely to, and immediately above latch 2. A light spring 911 maintains gentle pressure on chassis 9 causing the foreedge of the latter to hold a slidable contact with peg, or pin 13 which, rigidly, extends (usually substantially perpendicularly) above the upper plane surface of latch 2. FIG. 5 shows the combined by-pass and holding means in full line in the position it assumes when latch 2 is in position 211, and in dotted line when it is in locked position 2a, and in position 20.

When force is applied, through the control system, to latch 2, it is caused to rotate, clockwise, on its pivot 12, counter to spring 5, and toward the ultimate position 2c. Pin 13 glides along the fore-edge of the lower holding chassis of the combined holding and by-pass means 9. When latch 2 arrives at position 2b, as shown in FIGURE 1, pin 13 which comprises one specific exemplary form of retaining means, engages retaining detent means, in this case a proper notch E4, in said fore-edge of the chassis 9, thus placing pin 13 and the latch 2 in a second suspended-action position, with the highly beneficial results noted above.

Actuator lever 15, though not attached to it, is the element which directly applies motivating power to latch alternate for the latter three elements, would be a cable and pulley arrangement.

Spring 15b, attached to and resisting movement of arm 15c, FIGURE 2, maintains constant tension on the control system tending to return to its starting position, the entire system from control plate 22, FIGURE 3A, to actuator 15, FIGURE 2.

A complete cycle of operation of the lock should logically begin with latch 2 in the normal locked position as indicated in broken line FIGURE 1, and symbolized 2a. Detailed consideration of three factors is required, viz: Manual controls, FIGURES 3A and 3B, the latch 2 and combined holding and by-pass means 9. In order to more clearly show the coincident status of the above parts, at any stage, their unity of action is indicated by the addition of the letters a, b and c to their symbols. In FIGURE 3A the symbols 23a, 23b and 23c are commensurate with 2a, 2b and 2c in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 shows a diagrammatic end view of by-pass 9, indicating the position of by-pass plate 1!), which rests upon the apex of pin 13. Under the above conditions, outside control handle 21a is in its normal horizontal position.

It is assumed that the key-lock has been released by key. For unlocking the door, the handle 21a is rotated in a clockwise direction. Latch 2, through the control system heretofore described, is forced by the actuator, also in a clockwise course, through the aperture of its laterally disposed socket 6 and 8. Pin 13 glides along the fore-edge of by-pass chassis 9. By-pass plate 10 continues to rest upon the apex of pin 13. As the manual control 210 is revolved, from the horizontal, an adjustable amount, 75 degrees more or less, latch 2 is rotated to position 2b, as shown in FIGURE 1. Pin 13 advances along the edge of chassis 9, where it engages notch 14. Plate 10 still reposes atop pin 13. It will be seen by FIGURES 1 and 6 that a square shoulder of notch 14 retains pin 9, and action of said pin and hence of latch 2, is suspended. The manual control is released. Counter-action of spring 1512 returns the entire control system to its normal position. Outer control 21a returns to its horizontal status and actuator lever 15 is in its initial position as shown in FIGURE 1. The door is in the free condition for unlimited use, that has heretofore been mentioned.

To release latch 2 for securing the door, control 21a again is rotated in a clockwise direction, from the horizontal, beyond the original position, through 90 degrees to the perpendicular. Latch 2 rotates to the alternate location 20, FIGURE 1. Pin 13 glides on a laterally disposed shoulder, out from notch 14. It simultaneously advances from under the angular periphery of plate 10, which drops to surface contact with chassis 9, as diagrammed in end-view in FIGURE 7.

This transitory condition prevails only so long as it is maintained by the manual control. When the latter is released, counter-pressure by spring rotates latch 2 in a counter-clockwise direction into its engaged position 2a. Spring 15b again returns the control system to normal, and pin 13 glides back along the edge of chassis 9. As it approaches notch 14, it contacts the transverse edge of by-pass plate which conveys it laterally away from the edge of chassis 9. The pin is thus carried, on the edge. of a flat area of plate 10, beyond notch 14 in the edge of chassis 9. It then contacts the angular, upturned edge 13x, of plate 10, FIGURE 4. The impact of the pin against the upturned edge of the by-pass plate, tilts the free edge of same to the top of pin 13 which, beneath the tilted plate glides back along chassis 9 to the point of beginning. Key-lock 21a is locked with the key, and the door is efiectually secured from the outside. The releasing of latch 2, as related above, may take place either before or after the door has been closed. If the latter is the case, the latch when released, will automatically return to its socket. If released before the door is closed, or if it is left in the Zn position when opening the door, latch 2 will, when the door is closed, contact the laterally disposed striking-plate 8a, a part of latch-plate 8, and will be directed by it into and through the aperture therefor provided in latch-plate 8. Pressure by spring 5 returns latch 2 to its 2b engaged position from which it started.

The foregoing explanation of operation is based on the premise that outer-control 21a had been previously unlocked by key. The present paragraph dealing with the functioning of inside control-lever 23, assumes that the key-lock 21a is in full effect, at all times, from the outside. Even under that condition, all functions described above as being possible from the outside, when the lock has been released by key, are possible by use of the inside control-lever 2.3. And if the key-lock is secured, as we are now assuming, the door will be locked, from the outside, when finally closed.

This versatility is partially made possible by the novel manual controls shown in FIGURES 3A and 3B. It is believed that this device constitutes a new and useful improvement, as here used. As has been previously noted, outer control-plate 21 is rigidly fitted to shank 21b, and may not be rotated only as the key-lock handle 21a permits. Interior-control 22, through which controlrod 18 is actuated, is freely rotatable on shank 21a. It is moved by pressure on interior-control-lever 23. In operating from the outside, handle 21a rotates plate 21. Lug 21x on plate 21 contacts a shoulder on plate 22 causing it, against the counter-pressure of spring 15!), to draw rod 18 downwardly and thus, through the power transmitting links, rotate the actuator, bringing about the desired action as heretofore described.

it should be noted that the expression retaining pin means and the expression retaining detent means, as used herein are intended to be construed in a broad sense covering a variety of functionally substantially equivalent structures. This is also true of the specific language employed in referring to the combined holding and bypass means, et cetera.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such, properly within the basic spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. In a latch device adapted to be mounted on a door, said latch device including a latch box, a pivoted latch member mounted in said latch box having a detent portion and a keeper engaging portion extending from said latch box, said pivoted latch member adapted to be moved by manually operable means in a clockwise direction between a first position in which the keeper engaging portion is engaged with a keeper means, a second position in which the keeper engaging portion is releasably retained out of engagement with said keeper means and against movement in a counter-clockwise direction to thereby permit opening movement of said door and a third position in which the latch member is free to return to said first position under the influence of a spring means, said latch device further comprising a combined holding and by-passing member pivotally mounted on said latch box, said last-mentioned member including a plate having means thereon to receive said detent portion of the latch member when said latch member is moved from said first position to said second position to thereby ho-ld said latch member in said second position and a bypass member pivotally mounted on said plate and overlying said plate means, said by-pass member having means thereon adapted to engage said detent portion after said latch member is moved from said second position to said third position, said last-mentioned means preventing said detent portion from being received in said plate means whereby said latch member can be returned to the keeper engaging or first position thereof under the influence of said spring means.

2. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, wherein said manually operable means for moving said pivoted latch member in a clockwise direction comprises an actuator lever pivotally mounted adjacent to said latch member by a shaft fixed to said actuator lever and having an extension portion extending from said latch box, and means for effectively manually applying torque to said extension portion of said shaft.

3. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein said means for effectively manually applying torque to said extension portion of said shaft comprises an arm rigidly mounted on said extension portion of said shaft and having a portion extending to a position transversely spaced from the axis of rotation of said shaft, said portion being operatively connected to a handle means for applying torque to said shaft.

4. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein said means for effectively manually applying torque to said shaft comprises an arm rigidly mounted on said shaft perpendicular thereto.

5. In a latch device adapted to be mounted on an upper surface of a top rail of a door of an overhead opening type, said latch device including a latch box, a pivoted latch member mounted in said latch box having a detent portion and a keeper engaging portion extending from said latch box, said pivoted latch member adapted to be moved by manually operable means in a clockwise direction between a first position in which the keeper engaging portion is engaged with a keeper means, a second position in which the keeper engaging portion is releasably retained out of engagement with said keeper means and against movement in a counter-clockwise direction to thereby permit opening movement of said door and a third position in which the latch member is free to return to said first position under the influence of a spring means, said latch device further comprising a combined holding and by-passing member pivotally mounted on said latch box, said last-mentioned member including a plate having means thereon to receive said detent portion of the latch member when said latch member is moved from said first position to said second position to thereby hold said latch member in said second position and a bypass member pivotally mounted on said plate and overlying said plate means, said by-pass member having means thereon adapted to engage said detent portion after said latch member is moved from said second position to said third position, said last-mentioned means preventing said detent portion from being received in said plate means whereby said latch member can be returned to the keeper engaging or first position thereof under the intluence of said spring means, said manually operable means for moving said pivoted latch member in a clockwise direction comprising an elongated curved actuator lever having a free actuating end pivotally mounted in juxtaposition to said latch member for pivotal actuation thereof, said actuator lever being provided at the opposite end thereof with pivotal mounting means comprising a shaft fixed to said opposite end of said actuator lever and rotatably carried by said latch box at one side of and substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of said latch member, said free actuating end of said actuator lever being pivotally movable to contact and rotate said latch member in said clockwise direction between said first position, said second position and said third position, said shaft being rotatably mounted in and extended downwardly through a bore in the top rail of the door, spring biasing means resisting rotation of said shaft, and means for effectively manually applying torque to said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,412 Edele Sept. 6, 1938 2,628,117 Robinson Feb. 10, 1953 2,637,576 Nottingham May 5, 1953 2,708,356 Long May 17, 1955 

